With the Christmas and New Year break over, the Sydney Swans have resumed and ramped up preparations for the 2012 season.
New recruit Tommy Walsh was among the group who took part in a tough session at Lakeside Oval on Monday morning.
After nearly three months with the Swans, the big man told SwansTV he has settled in well to his Sydney surrounds and is looking forward to the next month on the training track.
“Training has been solid since we got back from the break last week. We had a very tough session on the first day back and we’ve just kicked on from there,” Walsh said.
“All of the boys have come back in good shape so it’s exciting for the rest of the season.”
It is just six weeks before the Swans face off against Geelong and St Kilda in the triangular NAB Cup series opener at Etihad Stadium on February 24.
Walsh says there is still plenty for him to learn in the coming weeks and months but he is enjoying the challenge.
“Because I’m new, I’m still learning the game plan and working on my leading patterns and follow up work,” he said.
“Everyone’s got a lot to work on, but you have to just keep plugging away and hopefully it all comes together.
“It’s tough work but I expected that. I feel I’m fitting in well and getting to know all the boys and the way the team plays.”
Swans fans will have no trouble spotting Walsh whenever it is he makes his AFL debut.
He stands at 195 centimetres, weighs in at nearly 100 kilograms and will wear the number 17 made famous by his countryman Tadhg Kennelly.
“No doubt I have big boots to fill and a big head to fill too,” the Irishman joked of taking on Kennelly’s old number.
“I just hope I don’t lose my hair as quickly as Tadhg did.”
Walsh says he has been impressed with many of his new teammates on the training track, with Marty Mattner and Ted Richards two of the standouts.
“Marty is probably a bit of an unsung hero and you don’t hear much about him outside of Sydney. I didn’t really know him before I got here but he has a lot of presence at training and great leadership qualities. He and Ted Richards have both been fantastic.”
